Yes ANYONE can change your business contact info in Google!

Through what Google calls “suggested edits” members of the public (anyone and everyone) can change your business’s info on your Google. It used to be changed by people who know how to do it and actively try to find info to change.

These days Google awards people “Local Guide” status click here for more on Google Local Guides which are people who contribute to the updating of online info and answer questions concerning businesses in their area. Now instead of people looking for info to change, Google will have questions pop up on the Local Guides’ phones asking questions. The guides hopefully answer honestly but malicious activity and intentionally answering incorrectly can and will happen.

How can you combat this? Rule #1 – CLAIM your Google page!

If your page isn’t claimed it’s wide open for anyone to claim. This required verifying via postcard or phone. This is also often easy for scammers to get around. Once your page is claimed you’ll have to pay close attention to edits coming in. Google sends you emails when suggestions come in. 99% of the business owners I’ve talked to don’t read them and see them as spam. If these aren’t responded to they will go live whether you agree with them or not.

The worst part is that if someone changes your categories to something irrelevant, your Google search results will plummet! You could also potentially annoy the public if your hours are changed to the wrong hours and someone shows up to find the doors locked. This is a huge component of keeping your online presence updated and correct. This small detail could make or break your online presence ESPECIALLY if you are in a tourist market.

Bar Marketing Basics can block these edits for your business and keep everything correct and updated. Contact us for more.

About company

Bringing value to your bar or restaurant since 2006! Contact us today for a free evaluation of how search engines see your brand including a plan to get you to the top of the Google results in your area.